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DANA POINT, Calif. | The baseball rumor mill cranks this week as the 30 general managers gather for two days of meetings at the St. Regis Resort outside of Los Angeles.
Here’s a look at each team’s offseason priorities compiled from contributions by beat reporters who cover those teams.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox: Free agency figures to reshape the infield. SS Orlando Cabrera and 3B Joe Crede are almost certain to depart, while key backup Juan Uribe is also a free agent. 2B Alexei Ramirez is likely to move to SS. Chris Getz is an in-house option at 2B, but the Sox will probably look to acquire a 3B because manager Ozzie Guillen isn’t sold on Josh Fields.
Cleveland Indians: The league’s worst bullpen needs a total reconstruction, starting with the acquisition of a closer. Indians must also acquire a 3B, unless they shift Jhonny Peralta. The search for a run-producing corner outfield bat is entering its third year.
Detroit Tigers: Pitching is the overriding need, both the rotation and bullpen. Re-signing RHP Freddy Garcia would help the rotation, but the bullpen is a mess and the Tigers don’t have the funds to seriously pursue free-agent Francisco Rodriguez.
Kansas City Royals: Acquiring 1B Mike Jacobs from Florida addressed chief offseason priority of adding impact corner bat. Still looking for a run-production outfielder and a proven middle infielder.
Minnesota Twins: Must bolster the bullpen. RHP Pat Neshek (strained elbow) should be back at full strength by spring training, LHP José Mijares looks like he could be a late-inning force, RHP Jesse Crain might be better next year in his second year back from shoulder surgery.
AL West
Los Angeles Angels: Everything hinges on whether they can retain 1B Mark Teixeira and RHP Francisco Rodriguez. Both will command top dollar in free-agent market.
Oakland A’s: GM Billy Beane wants to add a bat, possibly through the free-agent market. As usual, the A’s need right-handed power. Club officials expect Eric Chavez to return to third, but he could move to first if his shoulder is still not 100 percent.
Seattle Mariners: New GM Jack Zduriencik must decide on a manager before starting to rebuild a moribund organization from scratch. Would really like to dump starting pitchers Carlos Silva, Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista.
Texas Rangers: Club president Nolan Ryan and everyone else are obsessed with finding some arms to pair with the league’s most potent attack. Rangers have lots of young talent to offer.
AL East
Baltimore Orioles: Make some short-term steps to bolster a rotation in which Jeremy Guthrie is the only reliable member. They have some young arms in the organization, but none seem likely to contribute much next season. So the Orioles will still attempt to buy a couple starters.
Boston Red Sox: Appear committed to Jed Lowrie as the everyday SS, so they need to dump Julio Lugo and the $18 million remaining on his contract over the next two years. Pursuing 1B Mark Teixeria and might look at adding another starting pitcher — perhaps A.J. Burnett or Derek Lowe. OF Coco Crisp will be trade bait because Jacoby Ellsbury has a firm hold on CF. Desperately need a catcher if they can’t resign Jason Varitek.
New York Yankees: Help for the starting rotation above all else. Signing or acquiring an ace is a must. Will be heavy into C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and possibly Ben Sheets. Need a center fielder, too.
Tampa Bay Rays: Suddenly have a surplus of starting pitching with more on the way in David Price, Jeff Niemann, Wade Davis and Mitch Talbot. That means they could offer Edwin Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine in an effort to obtain a regular right fielder.
To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4352 or send e-mail to bdutton@kcstar.com
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